Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to continue indefinitely with the use of landfill as a means of waste disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4151/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his preferred options for the future management of all forms of waste with particular reference to the continued use and development of landfills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4152/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish new ambitious waste management targets for maximum prevention, re-use, recycling and modern waste treatment to ensure that we match the best performance in the EU for recycling with the objective that only 10% of waste or less is consigned to landfill and to ensure that the landfills currently provided for under regional waste management plans should be the last to be constructed for a generation. In addition, the Programme contains a commitment to carry out an international review of waste management plans, practices and procedures and act on its conclusions. This review is currently underway and will inform the development of waste policy upon completion. Ireland must also meet challenging targets under the EU Landfill Directive for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill. Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the existing level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years. Following extensive consultation, the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste was published in April 2006 and is aimed at diverting 80% of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill through segregated collection and the generation of compost. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to implementation of the National Strategy.

I have also indicated my intention to introduce primary legislation to allow significant increases in the landfill levy and a Regulatory Impact Analysis for this purpose has been completed. My Department, in addition, is working with industry towards the development of a Statutory Instrument for the segregation of commercial biodegradable waste.

Last year, I issued a circular to all local authorities to drive forward the roll out of brown bins and promote the use of home composting and the report indicates progress in relation to home composting. I am confident that all of the above measures will contribute significantly to the achievement of the targets for the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill and a reduction in our overall use of landfill.